Catalysing Innovation: R&D Tax Credits for the Chemicals Sector
The chemical industry is driven by constant innovation, from creating novel materials to optimising complex processes. We help you secure R&D tax relief for your scientific advancements.
Why Chemical Industry R&D Qualifies
R&D in the chemical sector is a clear-cut case of scientific advancement. The process of hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis to create new substances or improve production methods is the very definition of R&D that the tax credit scheme is designed to support.
Qualifying R&D Activities
From the laboratory bench to the production plant, opportunities for qualifying R&D are widespread.
New Formulations & Compounds
Experimenting with chemical structures to develop new materials, coatings, polymers, or additives with improved properties.
Process Chemistry Improvements
Developing new or improved chemical production processes to increase yield, purity, safety, or reduce environmental impact.
Green Chemistry & Sustainability
Developing biodegradable materials, new recycling processes, or replacing hazardous substances with safer alternatives.
Catalyst Development
Researching and developing new catalysts to enable novel chemical reactions or make existing processes more efficient.
Storage & Containment Solutions
Developing new technologies for the safe storage, handling, and transportation of volatile or hazardous materials.
Safety & Compliance Innovations
Developing new methods or technologies to improve process safety or meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards.
Case Study: Biodegradable Polymer
The Challenge
A specialty chemicals company aimed to develop a new biodegradable polymer for food packaging with specific properties for strength and oxygen barrier. The scientific uncertainty was how to achieve these properties while ensuring the material would fully biodegrade within 12 months under standard composting conditions.
The R&D Solution
The R&D team synthesised and tested over 50 different formulations, experimenting with various monomers and additives. They developed a novel polymerisation process to control the molecular weight distribution, which was key to achieving the desired balance of performance and biodegradability.
The claim covered the salaries of the chemists and lab technicians, the cost of raw materials and consumables for the experiments, and a proportion of utility costs for the R&D laboratory.
Your Partner in Chemical R&D Claims
Our team has the scientific and financial expertise to build a robust claim for your chemical innovations.
Articulating Scientific Advancement
We work with your technical team to translate complex chemical research into clear narratives that demonstrate the scientific uncertainty and advancement required by HMRC.
Maximising Consumables Costs
Chemical R&D often involves significant expenditure on consumable materials. We ensure these costs are meticulously tracked and fully claimed, maximising your benefit.
Is Your Research Eligible for Funding?
The experiments you conduct and the processes you develop could unlock a substantial source of non-dilutive funding for your business. Let our experts assess your R&D activities for free.
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